Assignment 1: Not Condemnation but Agape

Assignment 1: Not Condemnation but Agape Who are we to pour condemnation upon others? What are the negative results for the recipients of our condemnation and judgment? How does seein" rel="nofollow">ing the negative impact of condemnation help us more fully appreciate Jesus’s actions, reflected in" rel="nofollow">in Paul’s words: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in" rel="nofollow">in Christ Jesus . . .” (Rom. 8:1 [NIV])? How does refrain" rel="nofollow">inin" rel="nofollow">ing from condemnin" rel="nofollow">ing others help create a community of prayerful love? In Matthew 7:1–11, Jesus helps us understand agape love even further—by addressin" rel="nofollow">ing it in" rel="nofollow">in terms of action. He shows us how “love behaves”—which excludes “condemnin" rel="nofollow">ing or blamin" rel="nofollow">ing those around us (vv. 1-5)" (Willard 1998, 217). Tasks: In 400–500 words, post to the Discussion Area your response to the followin" rel="nofollow">ing: When Jesus says “Judge not,” he means abandonin" rel="nofollow">ing the practice of condemnin" rel="nofollow">ing and blamin" rel="nofollow">ing. With every sin" rel="nofollow">inful bondage in" rel="nofollow">in life comes a freedom. What might freedom from condemnin" rel="nofollow">ing, blamin" rel="nofollow">ing, and judgin" rel="nofollow">ing others look like? How might that release from a condemnin" rel="nofollow">ing and judgmental spirit within" rel="nofollow">in a person? What might the role of a small group be in" rel="nofollow">in that transformational process? How does refrain" rel="nofollow">inin" rel="nofollow">ing from condemnin" rel="nofollow">ing others help create a community of prayerful love? (And lastly, if you so choose, what might you practice in" rel="nofollow">in order to extend agape love rather than judgment?)